World Premiere of the new Toyota iQ - Sophisticated new urban
car unveiled at Geneva Motor Show

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - Toyota has given the production
design of the new iQ its world premiere at the Geneva motor show. First
presented as the Concept Car iQ at the Frankfurt motor show last year, the
new model will go into production late in 2008.

KEY POINTS

First appearance of Toyota’s radical and
sophisticated new urban car

Less than three metres long, but three
adults plus a child or luggage carried in comfort

The new iQ is a sophisticated car, delivering a refined mode of urban
transport. Thanks to ingenious and revolutionary packaging, it measures
less than three metres long, but has a flexible interior that allows up to
three adults, plus a child or luggage, to travel in comfort.

The name iQ represents what the car embodies: “i” stands for
individuality, innovation and intelligence and “Q” for
quality.

DESIGN

iQ is designed for buyers who want more than just urban mobility, but
who are also looking for space, refinement and a vehicle that is kinder to
the environment.

Its revolutionary packaging is achieved through six space-saving,
interlinked engineering innovations that represent a break-through in
Toyota’s vehicle development.

“The iQ story started a few years ago when we at Toyota began
thinking about the environmental impact of automobiles,” explained
Kazuo Okamato, Executive Vice President in charge of Research and
Development at Toyota Motor Corporation.

“We concluded that, in order to ensure a sustainable future, there
was a need for a radical change in vehicle packaging. We needed to create a
breakthrough, away from the traditional belief that small is basic. Our
answer is the Toyota iQ.”

Robust and refined for the urban environment
iQ has a self-assured “super stance” with the four wheels positioned at
the extremity of each corner, with robustness further enhanced by
tough-looking bumpers and five-spoke, 16-inch alloy wheels that fill the
bold wheel arches.

The exterior styling blends dynamism and stability: prominent crease
lines define the high belt line, while the V-line of the A-pillar creates
tension across the wheel arches. Smooth lines flow from the front bumpers,
curve smoothly up through the front pillars to meet the roof and sweep back
down towards the rear hatch where they are replaced by edgier, well-defined
lines. The rear is defined by strong vertical lines, with bold lamp lenses
cut into three segments by horizontal lines.

At the front, smoked headlamp units are set deep into the bonnet and
wings. Refined appeal is further reflected in the door mirrors with
integrated turn indicators.

Techno-organic Interior Styling
Toyota has created a “techno-organic” design for the interior, which fuses geometric
precision with inner beauty. This is demonstrated in the floating
“V” centre console that dominates the asymmetrical dashboard
and the matt silver door handles, which have a flowing, manta ray
shape.

The steering wheel has a flat bottom to give the driver greater legroom
and audio controls are positioned on the wheel to save space on the centre
console and make operation easier for the driver.

The ultra-slim seatbacks are formed in a one-piece moulding that
enhances iQ’s edgy feel, while also helping free up additional
passenger space. A storage tray is concealed below the rear seat, another
feature that does not sacrifice cabin space. For extra luggage room, the
50:50 split rear seats can be folded flat.

TECHNOLOGY

Creating more passenger space in such a compact vehicle was a key
challenge for the Toyota design team. iQ’s interior is surprisingly
spacious, made possible by six interlinked engineering innovations.

Achieving this milestone in vehicle development required a drastic
change of mindset. The engineers have to reconsider the location of various
components, rather than simply redesigning parts to a smaller size.

The result is a breakthrough in “small yet spacious”
packaging, which at the same time has been designed to meet Euro
NCAP’s top five-star safety rating.

iQ is 2,985mm long and 1,500mm high. Its compact ingenuity lies in its
comparatively long, 2,000mm wheelbase.

New differential saves engine compartment space
A newly developed differential allows iQ to have a more compact engine compartment and front
wheels placed at the very corners of the car, with very short overhangs.
This yields more than 100mm extra cabin length, compared to Yaris.

A flat fuel tank has traditionally been considered difficult to
engineer, because of the variance in fuel surface levels depending on the
angle of the vehicle. Persistent engineering efforts to downsize and find
the best position for functional parts have enabled such a tank to be
developed, delivering significant space savings.

As a result, the front passenger area can be moved forwards towards the
base of the windscreen, freeing up additional cabin space.

Asymmetric Dashboard and Sliding Seat Configuration
iQ’s innovative asymmetric dashboard is designed to open up the passenger area.
Its pushed-forward, step-like structure gives sufficient space for the
front passenger when the seat is in its most forward position, while
comfortably accommodating an adult in the rear seat.

Combined with a shoulder-to-shoulder distance between driver and
passenger that is similar to a C-segment model, the unique 3+1 seating
configuration creates enough room for three adults, plus either a child or
luggage carried behind the driver.

Centre Take-off Steering Gear
Toyota has given iQ a centre take-off steering gear, positioned higher in the engine bay. The gear,
engine and differential could then be repositioned, giving the car a
shorter front overhang.

Slim Seat Design
The slim seatbacks release a further 40mm of rear passenger room at knee height. With an all new frame structure and
optimal adjustment of ancillary parts, the designs save space without
sacrificing comfort.

ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE

New iQ, together with the new Urban Cruiser, plays a key role in
Toyota’s drive to reduce emissions. Both vehicles are essential to
meeting the challenge of the Japanese Automobile Manufacturers
Association’s (JAMA) 140g/km voluntary commitment by 2009.

iQ will be offered with a choice of two petrol engines and one diesel.
These, together with the compact design, low weight and aerodynamic shape
of iQ, will contribute to outstanding fuel economy and exceptionally low
CO2 emissions, which are anticipated to start at around 100g/km.

Production will commence during late 2008, with 100,000 units expected
worldwide in the first full year.

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